Dr. Farmer says ...Thank you!

The holiday season is a wonderful time to express my thanks about the nice things happening to and around me. I appreciate the people who, in one way or another, make this column possible. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

To my wife, Darlene, who doubles as my most severe and most loving critic: Thank you for not letting me get by without giving my best.

You are also wonderfully patient with me when I am preoccupied with a column and pushing a deadline. Without your support, ideas and love, this column would have stopped long ago. And you know it. Thanks for believing in me.

To my Children: Thank you for letting me write about you from time to time. Thanks for being such good kids that I can put the majority of my worries elsewhere. You are the joy of my life.

To my friends: Your words of encouragement mean a lot to me. Your comments are much appreciated.

To my readers: Thanks for your notes of appreciation. They tell me the sacrifices and hard work are worthwhile when I hear how the column touches your lives.

Thanks for coming up to me when our paths cross. Your kind words are truly special.

To my column clippers: You pay me the ultimate compliment. I clip too. I know it takes something special to motivate me to get the scissors. In 1993, I will make available booklets of compiled columns on various subjects I have written. Many of you have asked. It’s going to happen.

To readers who have shared personal problems with me: Thank you for your trust. Pardon my slowness in getting back to you. I am still trying to master my schedule.

To the trusting people who sought me out as a counselor: You are special. You have the courage to improve your lives. Thanks for letting me be a part of the changes you wanted to make. Real people with real problems breathe life into the things I do. Your trust honors me.

To my sources of research and wisdom: Your wisdom, your knowledge and you expertise has made a difference. Thanks for letting me share your findings and valuable insights with others who need what you know. You are the source, I am the medium.

To my business associate Dixie Davis of the Preston Connection: Thank you for your skills and energy in marketing and distributing the column. Well done. Your success is my success.

To the editors of the paper who carry this column: You are the ultimate consumer. I appreciate your confidence in my work. You are generous with a gift of inestimable value — the trust people place in you in being a judge of what is worthy of them.

Without an audience, the writer is nothing. Thank you for sharing your audience.

To my past colleagues wherever you are: Your friendship and influence has been important to me. I remember you well. I remember you with fondness. May our paths cross again.

To my present colleagues at the Psychological Associates of the Black Hills: Thanks for your friendship, support and your tolerance of my “media” image. Your ideas have helped me, as you well know.

I am a little different, but so are you. I stand in awe of what you do. Together we are in a good profession. It’s good fun to be around you. Thanks!

To all of you: We are all in this together. Thank you for letting me be part of your life.